Mercedes CLK230 Cabriolet Soft Top 2000
 

Having trouble opening the soft top. The handle operation when operated causes the windows to drop as it should, and the hood is cracked sufficiently to take the tension from the soft hood but the rear part of the hood does not unlock to allow the stowage compartment cover to lift. Is there a faulty interlock not being made that could be stopping this working? The engine is running and there is sufficient power there....Help please!

A couple of thoughts. One, it may pay to check the hydraulic fluid level of the mechanism.

I had a similar situation with my top where it wasn't reset properly. I was doing work on it for the season, which involved operating the top part way and disconnecting the battery to do the work. The top misbehaved after the battery was reconnected. What I'm thinking is that it may be worthwhile to secure the top in the proper up position, then disconnect and reconnect the battery to reset the system.

If your mechanism is anything like my top, there's a spot where you can slip a 10 mm wrench to release the conv deck lid. There may be a fault in the latch mechanism which may be obvious once you have a look at it. I had a problem where the hydraulic cylinder blew a seal.

If none of these easy procedures cures the problem, then the diagnosis gets more complicated and is best left for the dealer.

Sticking micro switch, if you leave it in the failed place for about 30 minites it might free up and go ahead and work. These switches will stick, mostly due to the silicone boot around the pin, the pin gets stuck to the boot and when the pressure is released, the pin does not.


If you find thats the problem graphite lock lube seems to work wonders on these things. (SLKs are famos for the decklid and front bow micros doing the same thing.)



Joe